“To assist a child, we must provide him with an environment which will enable him to develop freely.”
That quote from Professor Maria Montessori applies equally to a child’s schooling environment and home environment. Thanks to her practical life philosophy, you can take Montessori theory home to enrich your little one’s educational journey!
We’ve written about the benefits of implementing Montessori practices at home, but here we’re going to explore building Montessori theory directly into your child’s home life. Remember, every child and every home is different, so feel free to adapt your at-home practices to best benefit your child.
Creating a child-sized environment
The “prepared environment” is an important concept in at-home Montessori practices because it emphasizes a child’s ability to act independently. Providing child-sized implements for your child to use can allow them to tackle grown-up tasks all on their own.
For example, if you want to teach your child to put their toys away when they’re done playing, consider providing them a toybox that’s low enough and light enough that they can open and close the lid themselves. This can empower your child to clean up without prompting.
If your child is interested in participating in kitchen activities, you can provide a stool for them to stand on so they can see what you’re doing. (You can also check out our blog post on Montessori kitchen activities for more!) You could even use the same stool in the bathroom so your child can reach the sink by themselves to wash their hands and face.
Developing order and a schedule
One of the best ways to help your child learn is to offer predictability and simplicity. A simple environment is free from distractions and clutter, which can distract your child from their tasks. This can involve keeping the number of toys they have available limited to just a few at a time, which has the dual benefit of helping your child value the toys they have available to them.
Scheduling certain chores or activities can also help your child understand the concepts you’re teaching more quickly. If you tell your child to wash their hands before dinner every night, eventually they can understand that “this is hand-washing time.” You’ll know you were successful when your child doesn’t need to be reminded that we wash our hands before dinner and they perform the task entirely on their own.
Implementing Montessori supplies for the home
Many Montessori activities are designed with a particular scientifically-designed toy in mind, but there are plenty of ways to implement materials into your child’s at-home Montessori curriculum without breaking the bank.
For example, if you want to teach your child to make their bed when they get up, you can provide them with a bed that’s low enough to the ground that they can arrange the covers without help. A Montessori bed can be as simple as your child’s ordinary bedstand with the legs removed.
Building your child’s curriculum into their home life can be as simple or involved as is appropriate for your child’s age. If you’re looking to provide your child with a well-rounded Montessori education at school as well, you can schedule a tour at one of our facilities in Ahwatukee or Layton Lakes. See how Inspire Kids Montessori can give your child a headstart on their love of learning!
